Apparatus for voltage measurements



Much 7, 1939. Y' w. c.. LENT l PPAR'TUS FOR VOLTAGE IIEASUREHENTS 2 'shuts-sheet' 1 original mea oct. 26 193:5

Fig) fmvs'on Worrhingfm C.Len

' ATTORNEY Mmh 7,1939.

- vw. LENT 2,149,451 PPRTUS FOR VOLTAGE MEASUREMENTS Original Filed Oct. 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 nNvENToR Worhingon' C. Len

ATTORNEY .l'm to be accepted as Patented Mar. 7, 1939 Worthington original application 695,253. Divided estwood,

C. Lent, W

to Radio Corporation of by mesne assignments,

a corporation of October 26, and this application October N. I., assigner,

Delaware u 193s, serial No. l

zo, 193s, serial No. 106,548

. z claims. (ci. 11s-18s) improvements in apparatusfor voltage measurements and has for an object the accurate measurement of the ratio of two voltages, utilizing apparatus which is simple and cheap to construct. 4

Another object is to provide an apparatus for measuring peak voltages such as occur in connection with the modulation of carrier waves as used in radio telephony and the like, and where it is desired to determine y ments the amplitude variations in the modulated carrier wave. j

A further object is to provide apparatus Vto be used in voltage and other measurements thattis readily portable, particularly in respect to the meter employed, said meter being direct reading and combined in a single carryingcase with auxiliary equipment usedtherewith.

Other objects will more fully hereinafter appear, the invention consisting in theconstruction, combination, location and relative arrangement of the instrumentalities in the circuit herein disclosed, all as more fully'hereiriafter set forth, as shown by the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

This application is a division of application Serial Number 695,253, filed October 26, 1933, now Patent No. 2,061,382, and the shown by way voi! illustration willgbe described as applied to the measurement of a modulated carrler wave as commonly used in radio broadcast- E. Radio broadcasting in its prese upon the generation and modulati n of a so-called that is, a radio frequency oscillatory current which is varied in frequency, phase or amplitude in conformity with the variations ofthe material to be transmitted. The process of modulation by versaliy used .Since the'intelligence is transmitted by the variation of the carrier: amp amplitude itself, the degree of that variation at a particular instant becomes of theefiectlveness of the transmission. In other words, no matter how strong the carrier wave of a station may be, if that carrier be not modulated no signal Vwill be produced in the receiving loud speaker. It naturally `follows caster, vitally interested commercially in rendering the maximum service to the listening public.

is greatly concerned with the operating efficiency and hence the modulation degree of his transmit- 55 ting equipment.

by voltage measure-v apparatus hereinv .l tude and the increase t form depends amplitude variations has comey the most, suitable and isl uniand apparatus embodying the schematic circuits tude and not the4 der side thereof;

that every broad- Methods for the determination of modulation performance have been known for a long time. Many of' these are ratfher involved, utilizing oscil- -logra'phs and the like and are limited in application dueto excessive cost vor the special conditions necessary in order that they may be applied. It is, therefore, desirable that the operator of a broadcasting or other radio station have some simple, direct-reading y inexpensive method and instruments. available any operating condition, special tests withv constant If a radio frequency modulated by a comple wavecarrying intelligence to be transmitted. the direct measure of the degree of such modulation is the ratio of the increase (or decrease) in instantaneous amplitude of the carrier wave during modulation to the unmodulated steady-state amplitude of that carrier `wave. In order to measure modulation degree, it is, then, necessary to measure both the steady-state amplitude and the increase v(or decrease) in amplitude at a particularinstant.

With the instrument herein described, the foregoing measurements of (or decrease) at aparticular instant are instrument will be understood by reference to the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagram of--a modulated carrier wave where it is desired to measure +En or--Em and Ee;

Figure 2is a diagram of a preferred form of circuit and instrumentalities employed in making the measurements referred-to in connection with Figure 1; 1 v

" Figure 3 is a diagram of a commercial circuit shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a meter assembly used in the circuit, Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a top view of the battery compartment of the meter shown in Figure 4 with the cover raised to show the connections on the un- Figures 6 and 'I are detail views of the battery connections as used in the meter-shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the importance of the time constant in affecting the operation of the meterportion only of the circuit.

It will be understood that only-sumcient of the circuits are shown understood.

. modulation, and in C the amplitude is returned to the steady-state value once more. The modulation degree is defined as the ratioof +E'm to Ec 0I Em t0 Ec.

In order to measure -i-Em or Em and Ec, it is necessary that the envelope of the modulated wave shown be demodulated; that-is, rectified, so as to eliminate one half of the envelope. The portion of the Wave eliminated may be that below the horizontal line d, Figure 1. If this demodulation process were not used, the average instantaneous voltage of the envelope would be zero since both halves of the envelope are equal and opposite in phase. Eliminating the lower half of the envelope by demodulation permits the observation of the variations of the carrier amplitude during modulation.

complete theoretical circuit used m carrying out this method of A Such a'circuit is shown in Figure 2 and consists of an input or demodulator circuit, and lter system connected thereto, and an analyzing circuit connected to the output common to both the circuits aforesaid.

Referring to Figure 2,

trically, which, in conjunction with the resistor I2 and the radio frequency by-pass condenser If the modulation is. symmetrical this voltage will have a constant average value although the i .resistor and hence a balancing voltage equal in magnitude and opposite in polarity must be introduced. This balancing voltage is obtained from the-rectifier and filter system It which opcrates in the usual manner and the magnitude is adjusted by means of potentiometer I 6. The magnitude of this balancing voltage is measured by means of the D. C. voltmeter is adjusted to be equal to the average carrier voltage established across resistor I2.

From the study of Figure 2 it will be apparent that the analyzer circuit to the right of thereleak ou appreciably be: pulse of charging current The microamn'ieter 22 reads the disfore the next rectiied arrives.

peak charging voltage.

In the instrument described, the value of resistor 2I and the full scale range of microainare so chosen that the full scale deflecaverage carrier voltage established across resistor I2. The scale of the meter 22 can then be marked oi in percentage and will indicate modulation degree in percentage directly.

of' a commercial circuit Aembodying the schematic circuit Here. IB is the input potenfrequency from getting to the analyzer circuit.

By'means of thelineter switch 23p, meter I@ is made to do double duty inasmuch as in one Il. The voltageV switch position a shunt 24 is thrown across the plate 34 is secured in the bottom of the casing meter so that the meter serves as acurrent indi- 23, to the side of which is attached by screws or cator, while in the other switch position a multithe like the bracket 35 which is-insulated from the plier 25- is inserted in series with the'meter to cells. The ash light cells 3|, 3|a are merely permit the measurement of the balancing potendropped in this bracket, 3|a with the bottom of 5 tial obtained from the rectier and illter'system the zinc can in contact with the plate 34 and |5, and this eliminates 4meter I1 shown in Fig- 3| with the carbon electrode 36 downwards, so ure l. The magnitude of this potential is conthat it will contact with the plate 34. The result trolled by potentiometer l5. The condenser 26 is that the cells 3|, 3|a are connected in series,

lay-passes this potentiometer for audio frequenthe plate 36 having an upwardly extending spud 10 cies. Reversing switch I8 permits the meter 22 to adapted to contact with the carbon electrode 36. indicate negative or positive modulation peaks. l The upper ends of the cells contact with the con The action of this voltmeter. has been explained. neotors 31, 38 which are secured to the lid 39 An electrostatic shield'21 placed between primary of the battery compartment. If this is of metal.

l and secondary windings ci the power transformer it-is provided with a suitable insulating block 15 prevents radio frequency pickedup on the power d0 on which the connectors are mounted. The line from getting in-to the instrument wiringand connectors are then connected to the exible apparatus. conductors 4|, 42 which pass through a partition It will be observed that the change in the de- 43 in the casing 28 and connect the batteries in iiection of the meter |4 when connected so as to circuit with the other parts ofthe apparatus. p0 read the average carrier current, serves asl a Knobs M, 44a are provided for lifting out the direct indication of dissymmetry in the molulapanel 39-and a screw knob 45 passing through this tion envelope ,and hence its'distortion. This inpanel, engages the threaded bracket 46 mounted strument, therefore, serves not only as a current on a side wall of the casing, thereby securing the indicator, but also as an arbitrary distortion inpanel 39 in place.

dicator, and may be used as such. A'suitable top 28a covers the instrument shown The prllfible instrument ShOWIi iii Figures in Figure 4, saidtop enclosing not only the instru- 5-7 inclusive, iS an essential parli 0f the apparatus ment and otherl parts mounted on the top 29, but herein described not ordinarily available and may also the top 33 of the battery compartment, so be used alone for a variety of purposes. It comthat the meter 22, with its associated equipment $0 pri-SBS a Suitable Casing 28 having a l0p`29 O f Suitas described. including the batterles,'may consist able material, in which is mounted the flush type of a box approximately 6" x 7" square and 3%" microammeter 22. As any suitable construction deep, which may be provided with the usual for the meter may be used it is not here described handle 23h and in outward appearance resembles 35 in detail an ordinary portable meter,` thereby aording a Mounted upon the top 29 is'a socket 30 for the compact, eiiicientinstrument, light in weight and tube india'd in the diagrams, Figures ,2 and 3, adapted to be readily carried from place to place, by the numeral |9- ThiS may be any Suitable the same being instantly ready for use by contype 0f tube. and a Suitable source 0f current. necting the reversing switch ,to the binding plOVided fOr Operating the filament illeieol-v the polarity indicated on these binding posts These battery cells are in series with the rheostat Should be used, i 33. A push button or switch 32 controls the re- With an instrument, such as just deseribed,'the sistance 55 and puts this resistance in series with input impedance varies from 1,000,000 ohms at voltage of the tube is indicated on the meter when second, and the imrfruunem;` is therefgre adapted the Push button 01 Switch z is dePreSSed' as il' to cover a wide range of commercial measure? connects the meter 22 as a 5 voit D. C. instrument, ments with an accuracy of appmximately I 2% and enables the filament-voltage for the tube I3 which, for such 'measurements is a permissible to .be adjusted to its proper operating value of 2 enen Y volts by means of the rheostat 33. After this adl From the .foregoing description it wm be seen Justment has been maderlhe Switch (of the usual that one of the two components of a rectified modpush button type.) 3 2 is released and the'instm ulatedcarrier wave is measured by the meter 22 ment is ady for peratin asapeak Voltmeterwhile the same is made insensitive to the other The casmg 28 Contains the mndenser 2' the fe' component. The two products of the rectication 55 sistor 2| and other parts as may be necessary in of a comple-x wave such as a modulated carrier connection with the analyzing circuit shown at are l v g l the right of the Switch nf Flgure 3 assembld l (a) a. direct current proportionate to the averthe casing 23 in a compact form, ready for use, age value of the Wave; and

batteries foihe lube i9 and Providing Space be' portional to the instantaneous value of the comlow for a Spare tube. y Plex wave i As these batteries require frequent renewal, It is the ratio of these two components atvany special mention is made ofthe method of` coninstant that determines the degree of fleeting the same into the casing 2B whereby the -which the meter 22 measures. This mod "ti'on necessity for making and breaking erible condegree maybe defined as the ratio of the increase nections to' the Cells' lS avoided, particularly aS of the amplitude ofthe carrierwave during modsuch cells oi the small fiash light type, such as ulation. tothe steady-state amplitude of that carthe Ever Ready Type 935, are notprovided with ri-er wave with no modulation, the meter measurcircuit terminals, and the only way to attach ing the peak amplitude of the A. C. component. -im wiresv thereto is tovsolder them, one to the outer The time constant. whichis the product of the zinc casing and the other to the usual copper tip resistance in ,ohms of the resistor 2| and` the on thek upwardly. extending carbon electrode. capacity in farads of the condenser 20 (i.e., R. C.)

This soldering is' avoided. by the arrangement must be such that the condenser will not discharge shown, in Figures 5, 6 and 7,-. in which a metal appreciably. during the non-charging half cycle o! 75 such as the small ilash light batteries 3|, 3|a, is posts 41, es, When measuring D. C. potentials,

meter 22 when operated s0 that the filament zercrrequency to 1,350 ohms at 1o megacycies per 'up including the filament rheostat-33, switch 32. the (b) the alternating component directly pro- .o 'A

the rectified alternating current wave for the lowest frequency which it is desired to measure. This the peak voltage within 2%.

Assuming that the point 50, the absolute tainable. This is practically impossible and the measurements made are as if taken at the points indicated at 5|, 5ta, 5Ib of each haii cycle. The

half cycles 52, 53 and etc.

` Accepting 2% as the permissible commercial value indication, the following condition must be satised. v

deviation from peak R=resistance in discharge circuit in ohms C=capacitance in farads f=the minimum frequency in cycles per second at which the above accuracy must be malntained. A

RC 2; seconds In a capacity'circuit j1= Ce Where q=charge in couiombs (amperesxseconds) e=voltage C=capacitance in ferads.

o ing grid, `anode Transposlng,

l 02 Since q'f-amperes x seconds, and

:voltage Cv= amperes X seconds amperage X T .02 voltage .02 voltage The time constant of a capacity circuit=RC where R1=the resistance RC= -g =f= secondi-a for the required circuit.

n Although the invention accompanying claims.

What is claimed is: l. Measuring apparatus comprising a tube haviamentary cathode. 2. Apparatus las claimed in claim 1 characterized vby the fact that the resistance and capacity to'25 divided by the minimum frequency in cycles per second at which a desired accuracy is to 5e" maintained.

' f WOR'I'HINGTON C. LENT. 

